I love it when breweries release sampler packs. Perhaps you’ve seen the Saranac sampler in Wal-Mart. That one comes in both a six-pack and twelve-pack, and both are good introductions to that particular brewery’s offerings. However, I’m not here this week to talk about Saranac. I’m here to talk about a lesser-known, but still very good, New York brewery: Cooperstown Brewing Co.

When one hears the name Cooperstown, it’s about 99% certain that the national pastime comes to mind. The history, the personalities, the moments, and the glory: all are forever enshrined within the halls of the Baseball Hall of Fame. I love baseball, but why is it that whenever I hear “Cooperstown,” I think of good beer? The Ommegang brewery, purveyors of Belgian specialties, is located there, but so is the aforementioned Cooperstown Brewing Co., makers of delicious American ales.

For good, solid beer, may I recommend the Cooperstown Dugout Pack? If you’re reluctant to commit yourself to one six or twelve- pack, this amazing deal allows you to sample seven different types of traditional beer styles, and they’re all brewed in New York. Priced at $10.99 for a twelve-pack, it contains two pale ales, two India pale ales, two English strong ales, two brown ales, two golden ales, one porter, and one stout. All have baseball-themed names, and all are quite tasty. In the lighter-colored beers, expect to find hints of citrus, with underlying bready notes derived from the malt. As you get darker, you’ll notice hints of chocolate and roasted coffee. Take note, however, that the color of the beer never necessarily dictates the taste or the thickness of a beer.

The Ringwood yeast strain, which is used in each beer in the pack, imparts a certain buttery characteristic, and while I sometimes find it overwhelming, it is for the most part used very well. My snobbery aside, everyone should give this pack a try. Find it at Sam the Beer Man on Upper Front Street. This one is nearly a “grand slam”— Jesus, that’s an awful joke.